Development Officer

GhostLight Arts Initiative is calling for a Development Officer for its season.

ABOUT:

The GhostLight Arts Initiative (GLAI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the use of the creative, performing, and media arts as catalysts for social progress. Our goal is to leverage every artistic avenue to create a tangible and sustainable impact across social and cultural systems.

GLAI's producing company, GhostLight Creative Productions is a Detroit-based arts and media company dedicated to amplifying Black voices through theatre, streaming, and community engagement.

GLAI team members collaborate across a wide range of programming throughout the season. This includes the Obsidian Theatre Festival, the GhostLight Arts Initiative's Detroit IMPACT Arts Conference, the annual GhostLight Fundraising Gala, and affiliated programs. By working across these platforms, staff contribute to both the artistic and social impact goals of the organization.

GHOSTLIGHT PROGRAMMING:

The GhostLight Arts Initiative is home to a multitude of educational programming:

The Obsidian Theatre Festival centers Black stories, through an invigorating celebration of new work by emerging Black voices. Produced by Detroiters in the city of Detroit, the Obsidian Theatre Festival illuminates the rich diversity of experiences relevant to the African diaspora.

The Obsidian Theatre Festival, produced by GhostLight Creative Productions, Incorporated

and Nicely Theatre Group, will be presented over a weekend in multiple parts:

• OTF Main Stage: Featuring 1 full-length produced play
• OTF Reading Series: Staged readings
• The Obsidian Theatre Festival's One Night Only Cabaret

LIMITLESS: A GhostLight Gala is an evening of celebration, performance, and purpose

—where we honor our journey, uplift our artists, and step boldly into the limitless possibilities ahead.

The IMPACT Arts Conference uplifts individual artists, arts organizations, community partners, and funders – magnifying the work of Detroit's current performing arts community and contributing to the foundational growth of a thriving arts ecosystem.

The Neighborhood Engagement Program ensuring that Detroiters from every neighborhood can access the same type of art presented and produced in the city's downtown corridor

The Detroit Artist Fellowship Program supporting early-career artists with professional development trainingand most

Encore Michigan, the premiere digital hub for the performing arts community in Michigan.

LOCATION:

Detroit, MI

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development Officer cultivates and manages relationships with new and existing GhostLight Donors and leads the charge in funding research and grant writing. This contract position plays a critical role in the organization's fundraising efforts by building those lasting relationships with donors and pursuing growth and sustainability for the organization.

This position reports to the Producing Artistic Director and the Associate Artistic Director/ General Manager.

Our ideal candidate will exemplify our values of building an ideal workspace for all artists, crew and administrators. They will need to be able to explore and solicit high net donors for the institution and drive execution of strategic plans for donor cultivation and grant planning. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who demonstrates outstanding communication, leadership and organizational skills. Attention to detail is a must.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects to close gifts for top funding priorities
• Propose, implement and execute a comprehensive development plan to meet annual and long-term contributed income goals
• Cultivate, implement and execute a comprehensive grantmaking strategy
• Take the lead with our Producing Artistic Director in completing grant applications
• Create a season Grant Calendar, with grant deadlines and important document deadlines
• Stay in communication with current and possible grant contacts. Research foundations and submit Letters of Interest to those where GhostLight's missions align with their own.
• Lead annual giving campaigns, donor appeals and renewals
• Continuously update the CRM database with information related to donor strategies, contacts, and results
• Collaborate with our Executive Team to plan and execute any donor related functions
• Connect by phone, letter or email to current supporters to thank them for their generosity, viewership and participation
• Create and strive to improve the donor benefits package
• Attend the Staff Retreat
• Attend Admin Staff Meetings (Departmental Breakouts), as assigned
• Attend other meetings as needed or required by the Associate Artistic Director/General Manager or Producing Artistic Director
• Support in facilitating and executing conversations with Actors Equity Association, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and any other theatre union necessary to fulfill the Producer's needed contractual obligations.
• Support in Identifying and developing the organization's strategic planning process, including short and long term goals and objectives
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong skills in management, leadership, and team development
• Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques
• Proven success securing major gifts and planned gifts
• Experience with CRMs and Donor Prospecting Platforms
• Outstanding judgment and ability to prioritize varying tasks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, networking, following up and interpersonal skills
• Self-motivated, driven and resourceful
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with tight timelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write clear, structured and persuasive proposals
• High level of computer proficiency with knowledge of Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Previous experiences with the following are a plus:
• Previous experience in the entertainment or theatrical industry
• Working knowledge of Non-Profit or Commercial or Regional or Touring Theatrical productions
• Grassroots Organizing

SAFETY:

We are committed to the health and safety of all of our artists, employees, and guests. In order to maintain the safest environment possible, all Obsidian Theatre Festival staff, artists, creative teams, crews, and ushers are encouraged to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 (both rounds of vaccinations.)

SCHEDULE/LOCATION:

Looking for someone to start immediately and the position term will end 60 days from start date, with a possible option to extend. This position is able to work from home with occasional meetings in the office and participation at networking events. Estimated workload averages 5-10 hours per week. Someone who is local to Detroit is preferred.

TENTATIVE DATES:

Interviews: Begin in December 2025

Administrative Meetings: TBD

COMPENSATION: Flat Fee: $1, USD)

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Please fill out the Form (link below) and submit your Cover Letter and Resume per the instructions inside the form by December 8, 2025.

Development Officer Applicant Form:

If you have any questions please email:

For more information about The Obsidian Theatre Festival please visit or information about the GhostLight Arts Initiative please visit .

GhostLight Creative Productions Incorporated accepts applicants of every identity, and does not discriminate on the basis of identity, including but not limited to: race, creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, religion, HIV serostatus, disability, height, weight, veteran status, marital status, or economic class.

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $1,500.00 per year

Expected hours: 5 – 10 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Detroit, MI 48202